Iran seeks to assert nuclear program realities: Rouhani

Iranian president says the Islamic Republic seeks to assert realities about its nuclear activities to reassure the world about the peaceful nature of its nuclear energy program.

“The activities of the Islamic Republic of Iran in the nuclear field have always been transparent and peaceful, and in the negotiations [with six major world powers] we are trying to assert the existing realities about peaceful nuclear issues in our country to the negotiating sides and the world,” Rouhani said in a meeting with Armenian Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian in Tehran on Monday.

“Meanwhile, we also seek to refute baseless allegations which have been leveled in this regard,” he added.

The Iranian president emphasized that nuclear talks between Iran and the six world powers should be based on international regulations.

As part of their ongoing talks, Iran and the five permanent members of the UN Security Council - the United States, China, Russia, France and Britain - plus Germany are set to hold a fresh round of high-level nuclear talks in the Austrian capital, Vienna, on May 13.

Negotiations between Iran and the six countries are aimed at reaching a final agreement to fully resolve the decade-old dispute over Tehran’s nuclear energy program.

Rouhani further described as “very important” the relations between Iran and Armenia and expressed hope that the two countries would improve trade and economic cooperation.

“The Islamic Republic of Iran’s view on regional issues has always been to establish peace, stability and tranquility among countries,” the Iranian president pointed out.

He called for political approaches and dialog to resolve differences among countries and said the Iranian administration would continue its close and constructive interaction with all nations, particularly regional and neighboring states.

The Armenian minister, for his part, said Armenia completely supports nuclear negotiations between Iran and the six countries and is very pleased with the results so far.